Please leave your musical prejudices at the City Gates

Tag Archives: Adam Green

21
Jan

Not gonna let George Ezra’s inclusion on the BBC’s “You WILL Listen To This Music, Peasants!” list for 2014 put me off him.

George Ezra is the real deal. For the voice alone. And then there’s the songs. This gig is sold out but I bet you can get in the fire exit if you’re really determined. Come on, we’ve all done it.

Wednesday 22nd January – Trams – Sebright Arms

The Sebright is a brilliant venue once you find it – maybe it’s just me being thick as pigshit. This one ain’t sold out at the time of typing, and if the Marc Riley seal of approval isn’t enough for you, check out these two live songs:

Thursday 23rd January – Chrome Hoof – Oslo, Hackney

Brand new venue, christened on Tuesday by Dry The River, so I can’t give you any information whatsoever about the acoustics, drinks, whatever.

What I DO know is that Chromehoof (i) made Simian Mobile Disco work really hard to follow them at a blistering gig at Koko a coupla years back and (ii) the band’s Chrome Black Gold is one of the most criminally overlooked albums of last year.

I’m sorry, but if you don’t like a band describing themselves as “prog disco” then we can’t be friends. See you dahn the front for some proggy danceable action !

Friday 24th January – Adam Green – Dingwalls

I’m not as familiar with Adam Green’s solo stuff as with the other 50% of Moldy Peaches, Kimya Dawson (or Kimya Awesome as I like to call her #alanpartridgelives).

This clip is from last November and he looks in pretty good nick. The first song here with its jolly almost Jewish-folky”I Like Drugs” refrain is particularly fine.

Saturday 25th January – Punkfest – New Cross Inn, New Cross

Supoib venue, the New Cross Inn. Last time I was here, I was watching the Lurkers while supping my pint from a safe distance back, carefully avoiding the mosh pit, when without any warning a bloke in his late thirties stood next to me started bouncing up and down and spinning his arms round and round, knocking my beer flying.

I stared at him for a good minute – and not being funny but even though I’m as soft as shite, I do quite a good impression of a total hard bastard in these circumstances.

He just looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said “I can’t help it mate. I’m a total arsehole”. Totally disarmed me.

Anyway, he’ll probably be at this gig so mind your drinks.

This kind of gig is what the New Cross Inn excel at. Fifteen punk bands for a tenner, starting at 1.30 and going on till late, headlined by the legendary 999

Sunday 26th January – The Sorrows – Underworld

The Sorrows are one of the great unsung bands of the Sixties.

Why not make a retrotastic Camden-centric day of it?

Visit the Beatles shop by Baker Street. Get the tube to Warwick Avenue. Take a walk along the canal to Camden Lock, passing all them expensive houses and going through the zoo at one point.

Do a bit of shopping in the markets, eating at one of the street food stalls.

Walk it off in Regent’s Park then head back up Parkway, stop for a bottle of Gladness (Madness’s very own beer) at the Dublin Castle, then ensconse yourself in World’s End until gig time at Underworld below.

Monday 27th January – Peggy Sue – St Pancreas Old Church

Formerly Peggy Sue And The Pirates, this could be the perfect venue for their brand of quietly left-field indie folk.

Tuesday 28th January – Soweto Kinch – Jazz Cafe

A unique performer, taking jazz improvisation to another level by incorporating hip-hop. Not everybody’s cup of tea but intriguing nonetheless.